Can-cap dropper.



E. M. COBB.

GAN GAP DBOPPBB.

. APPLICATION FILED SEPTA), 1909. 625,315, Patented June 21, 1910.

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GAN CAP DROPPER.

APPLICATION llLED 8111119, 1909.

962,3 l 6 Patented June 21, 1910.

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GAN GAP DROPPER.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPTA, 1909.

Patented June 21, 1910.

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GAN GAP DBOPPER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTA, 1909.

Patented June 21, 1910.

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Application tiled Sitmber 9, 1909. Serial No, 538,982.

To all 'whom itl'may' Be it hewn that I, ELMER M. Connfa citizen of the United States,residing at Portland,

in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Cap'Droppers; and 1 do ereby declare the following to be al full, clear, and exact descr-i tion of the invention, such as .will enable ot ers skilled. in the art to which it appertains to make andA use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in can cap droppeis, and the obiect of my invention is to. provide a simple and automatically-actng device, which will drop the caps exactly into'the proper position on the filled cans, sothat the caps may be soldered" of separately l straight chute. Fig. 3 is a cross section of a part of the drivinginechanism, showing the automatic releasing means. Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4- 4 of Fig. 1. 5 is a cross section throu h a pa'rt .if the cap chute. Fig. 6 is a to p an view of the invention as shown in ig. 1. Fig. 7 is a top view showing the ca rejecting-means. Fig. 8 is a cross section o the bottom part of the chute showin the ejecting means andv the separators per part of the separator. Fig. 10 is a si e view showing the inclined separatingar-A tial rings. Fi 11 is a to plan view o the part shown in ig. 10, and i 12 is a bottom plan view of the part whic i operates the separator. Figs. 13-15 represent a modified form of separator.

1 re resents a long narrow bench, supported y legs 2. This is provided with up- 'wardly-projecting sides .3 and 4, forming a runway for the cans,which are carried by a' sprocket chain 5, having projections 6,

adapted to strike against the cans 7, all these parts being of any old and well-known tyip.

To the bottom or side of the bench 1, t

jecting Fig.4

ig. 9 isa side view of the u in Fig. l, thisvertical art bein perforated and the vertiwal part thereof is shown at 8 for the passage theret rough o the rod 9,l

carr ing a cap rod eing adjust-ably astened in the bracket by means of the thumb screw 10. This bracket is out away, as shown at l1., The rod 9has attached to it, near its lower end, a ring 12, provided with a downwardly-projecting portion 13, which ring maybe fastened to the rod 9 at any desired position by means of the set screw lll.

15 indicates another ring, which is fastened tothe -rod 9 by the set screw. 1 6, which serves to support the starwlieel and-operatingparts.

17 represents the star wheel which. is provided with an enlarged hub 18 resting o n the' ring 15. One tooth of the'ster wheel is provided with an upwardly-projecting ex.

drop ing attachment, mid

23 indicates the ratchet whe-el, providedwith teeth 24. This ratchet wheel is attached to or made integral with a hubl 215 shown in Fig. 4, said hub` being provide ditv with shallow tl-shaped grooves 2 6 extending longitudinally therealong. rl`he hub 2 5 mounted inside of a sleeve 27 the upper part of which is expanded and forms a gear wheel28. 0n one side the sleeve 27 is pro.-v

vided witli an extension, 'having two per# forations therein, arranged at right angles -4 to each other. vIn the lower part of this extension, as shown' at .29, a slidable pin 30 is journa-led, having its inner end pointed.

This inner end is adapted .to engage in one;

`of the grooves 2 6. In the vertical perforation 31 is located a spring 32, eoniined by 1means of a 'screw 33. The lower end ot this spring engages a blunt-.fastening point 3d, which isadapted to seat in a shallow notchv 35 in the upper part of the pin 30, thus forming an adjustable connection between the hub 25 and the 'sleeve-27. v z Y Above. the gear wheel 2,8 is a cellar 36,

Which, hOWeVeIQiS Smaller than the seev'e A.

2?. On the rod 9,. which is provided at its upper part with a longitudinal groove 37, is

mounted a perforated bearing 38, having a,

- end, it 1s provided with a thickened part e 42, circular in its main outline, but cut away v53 is secu lfwa' screw-62, which serves to prevent the straight chute, havin 'Cap Wi kthis separator 1s revolved 1t will se arate mechanism proper, 'and the plate 40 has an extension 41 on which is carried the mechanism for operating the cap expelling device. The upper part ofthe plate 40 is substantiall fiat, but on its outer and lower for the operation of the lever and the cap expelling device vas indicated in Fig. 8. The lower part of the extension 41 is provided with' a wide cut-away portion 43 the sides of this cut-away portion being beveled to support the slide 44, having one end turned upwardly to form a handle 45, whereby the .slide may be removed.

Referring to Fig. 2, 46 represents a curved sides, within which the caps to be ed to the machine are 'placed on'edge. At the bottom of this chute is a narrow steel plate 47, adjustably secured in the bottom of said chute by means of a screw 48, which works in a slot 48 in said'chute bottom. The lower end of the plate 47 extendsl below the bottom of the chute, as shown at 49, and this lower end is preferably turned upward, as indicated in Fig. 8, although this is not strictl neces sary. This chute delivers into a ho low' rece tacle, supported on the plate 40 by means o screws 50. This receptacle has one wall thickened, as shown at 51, supporting the separating means, and on its opposite end is provided with an inclined extension 52,

which supports the lower part of the. chute.

lower part of the chute.

Parts of the separator are shownlseparated in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, and this separator consists of an upper portion.53 inclined down- 4Wardly, and sup orted on a rod 54 by means of a screw 55. n this same rod is mounted a bearing `56, having an extension 57 thereo n, which is circular in shape, but which has two projecting knife edged points 58 and 59 so spaced apart that the edge of a ll just pass between them, so that as the lowest cap from the row of caps 1n the chute and allow it to drop down through the hollow receptacle. The- 'upper .part of the thickened portion 51 is cut away, as shown at 60, for the 'rece tion of the se arator, as. shown in Fi 8. o the top of t e portion 'a curved guard 61, by means caps in the chute from being pushed down by the weight of the caps behind, sojthat the lowest one will not be caught by the separa- 'with its teeth rojecting inwardly (see acacia tor.A The rod 54 is journaled in the thickened portion 51, and its lower end 63 is journaled in a 4bearing in the art 42, and on this rod, near its ower en is iixed a small gear wheel 64,

The gear wheel 64 is operated by means of a curved rack 65, secured to the rin 66,

12) the parts eing cut away to aii'ord space for the o eration of said rack and gear wheel, as indicated in Fig. 12.

Means :for o erating the ring 66 will next bev described. llhis ring is provided with an 'extension 67 having an upwardly projecting portion 68, to which is pivoted one end of a link 69. The other end of this link is pivoted to a pro'ec'tion 70 on a crank ar'm 71, which is loosely mounted on a shaft 72, journaled in an upwardly projecting extension of the Apart 41.

For the purpose of regulating the adjustmentof the arm 71, to compensate for various speeds of the conveyer in the runway, I provide a disk 94, adjustably secured/ftd the shaft 72 by 4a set screw 73. Thel' disk 94 and the crank arm 71 are each prdvided with' a series of holes, the holes in the arm being spaced farther apart than those in the disk 94. 95 re resents a screw, adapted to fasten said dis and arm together, in Various sired.

positions according to thespeed de? It is obvious'that therotation pf the shaft 72, by the connections alread described,

will vibrate the ring back and orth, whereupon the rack 65 reciprocates the pinion 64, thereby reciprocating the separator and feedin the caps, one by one down into the centra hollow portion of the main recepi tacle.

The sha-ft 72 extends down below the part 41, and on its lower end carries the ear wheel 74, which meshes with the gear w eel 28. The rotation of the star wheel causes the rotation of the gear wheel 28, thereby Operating the shaft 72 and the ring 66. The

,shaft 72 also carries cams for operatin the cap expelling mechanism, said cams located-above the gear wheel 74.

.The cap expelling mechanism includes a. vibrating plate 75, one edge of which is curved, as shown at 76, so that when it is eing ,drawnbacln it will not interfere with the cated, is lexpel ed'by .the in 77, and drops onnto the central ortion o the can, as shown at 78", Fig. v6, t e parts being 'so adjusted as t9 drop the cap exactlyv upon the center ui une can.

e plate 75 is reciprocated by the fcllowi g means. Its rear end is '-piv'oted, Vas

,shown at 78, ,to a pin passing throu h the ever is 'reciprocated b y the following means.

.On the shaft `72 are mounted two cams 8?.

and 84, .of diierent shapes, and the lever 79 is provided with two downwardly-projecting pins or rollers 85 and 86, Athe outer one, 86, being the shorter, and contacting with the; lupper cam, and the inner pin, 85, being4 longer, and contacting -with the lower cam.

Ofcourse, the cams are 'madeof such a shape as not to interfere with the action of each other, and 1f desired, the pins85 and 86 may have rollers mounted thereon to diminish friction. The lever 79, near its outer end, .is expanded, and is provided with .a long sloty 87surrounding the shaft 72.

By means of the connections described, a revolution ofthe gear wheel 28 will cause the reciproeation of the .plate in a path concentric with the axis of the rod 9, thus sweeping the cap off of the slide 44, and

dropping it at exactly the right position on top of the can. The thickened part 42 of the plate 40 is slotted to permit the movement of the plate 75. f

In Figsgl, 14 ,and 1'5, a modified form of the-separator is shown, the separatin knives or blades 88 and 89 being mounted on the body thereof, so that they may be adjusted toward .and away from each other by means of screws, such as 90.

In Fig.p2,` a straight chute is shown. rlhis .form is vmore suitable for small caps. In Fig. 6, however, a modified form is shown, consisting of a chute 91, curved as shown in Fig. 6, and .having on its outer end a tube 92, open Aat one side, as shown at 93, for convenience in inserting the caps.

The operation is as follows :-The apparatus being accurately adjusted by means of the .various .adjustments already described, and especially the ratchet wheel 23 and parts engaging therewith, and the chute being properly loaded with caps, cans are automatically delivered to the conveyer 5, which is kept in constant rotation. passes under the dropper, it strikes one of the teeth of the star wheel, said wheel bein located so that the bottom of the can wil strike it. The star wheel is moved thereby, operating first the ring 66, to drop down one cap, which rests' upon the slide 44, and then to reciprocate the plate 75, which, at the proper instant, sweeps the caps oit the slide 44 exactly upon the center of the top of the can. This operation is continued indelinitely, and all that the operator has to dois to keep the chute supplied with cafps. If

As each can f ivf.. I l I cans, aseparator operated by said star wheel I .to separate .the lowest cap of a row of caps,

and a vibrating plate for sweeping said separated cap onto the. top of a can as it passes underneath the dropper, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a can conveyer and a lcap drop er secured to the frame thereof, `said cap ropper including a star vwheel adapted to be struck by the cans, a se arator adapted to remove the lowest one o a row of caps,a vibrating plate adapted to sweep the separated cap onto the .top of the can, and connections whereby the movement of said star wheel operates said separator and said late, substantially as described. y

3. iifhe combination of a can conveyer and a cap drop er .attached to the frame thereof, and inc uding a star wheel adapted to be struck by the cans, a ear wheel operated by the movement of said star wheel,.j'a pivotally-mounted vibrating separator r separating the lowest cap in a row, a gear Wheel for operating said separator, connections between said gear wheels for vibrating said se arator, consisting of a ring provided w1th a rack .engaging said second named gear wheel, and connections whereb said rst named gear wheel operates sai ring, substantially las described.

4. The combination of a can conveyer and a cap dropperfastened to the frame thereof, said ca dropper including a star wheel adapted to e struck by the cans, a vibrating plate adapted to sweep a cap onto the top of f accan passing underneath said cap, connections whereby the .movement of said star wheel o crates said plate, said.v connections being a justable, substantially as described.

5. 1n a cap dropper, the combination of a chute `adapted to recelve a number of caps, a separator adapted to take 0H the lowest cap in said row, consisting cfa vibrating separating portion provided with overlapping shar .edges forming an interrupted screw wi tapering edges, and means for vibrating said separator, substantially as describe 7 In a can cap dropper, the combination of a chute for holdinga row of caps and a separator therefor, consisting of a top inclmed downwardl and provided w1th a, curved guard, a ottom portion provided with overlapping knife-edged ortions forming an interrupted screw, an means for vibrating said separator, substantially as described. i v

8. In a can cap dropper, the combination Vof a chute provided with a hardened metal Ato contain a row of can caps, a hollow receptacle into which said c ute is adapted to deliver, a separator within said receptacle Aincluding an mclined top and a body portion havmg overlapping sharp edges separated by a space, and means for vibratmg lsaid separator, substantially as described.

10. 1n a cap dropper, the combination of a hollow receptacle, a chute adapted to deliver caps into said receptacle, and a separator mounted in said receptacle consisting of an inclined top, a body portlon having yoverlapping shar edges separated by a space from each ot er, means for adjusting said sharp edged portions, and means for vibrat- V ing said separator, substantially as described.

11. In a cap dropper, the combination of a chute, a hollow receptacle, a se arator therein, asu port on the bottom o said receptacle, a vi rating plate adapted to swee `acap from saidsup ort, and means for vi rating said Yplate inc uding a star wheel operated by the cans as they pass underneath the drop er, and connections between said star whee and said plate for vibrating the ylatter, substantially as described.

- 12. In a ca dropper, the combination of a chute, a hol ow receptacle into which said chute delivers, a se arator located near the top of said rece tac e, a plate extending underneath the ho low part of said receptacle,

and a vibrating plate provided with a pin on its under side located above said firstnamed plate, substantially as described.

13. In a cap dropper, the combination of a-hollow receptacle, a'chute delivering thereinto, a separator mounted within said repeptacle, ya slide sup orted in the bottom of sa1d -rece tacle, a v1 rating plate provided with a pm on its underside, and means for mma v lsaid star wheel for vibratin sai plate bac and forth, substantially as escribed.

' 14. In` a cap dropper, the combination of a hollow receptacle, a curved chute delivering into said receptacle, a -slotted tube connected to said chute, a separator in said re-A captacle, a .vibrating plate near' the bottom .of said receptacle, a star wheel operated by the cans 'as they pass underneath'the'.

dropper, and connections-whereby the movelment of said star wheel-vibrates said separator and said plate, substantially 4as described.

15. The combination of ;.a supporting-y fname, acan conveyer mounted therein, a bracket secured to said frame, a rod adjustabl secured in said bracket, a bearing on sai rod, a star wheel resting on said bearing and adapted to be struck by the cans` as they are moved by the conveyer, a gear wheel o erated by said star wheel, adJustable an ielding connections .between said star whee .and said gear wheel, a chute, av

separator, and a plate to' sweep a cap onto each can asit passes underneath the dropper, and connections between said gear wheel and said separator and said late' for operating them, substantially as escribed.

16. In a cap dropper the combination' of a star wheel o erated by the cans as they pass u'nderneat said dropper, a gear wheel opera/ted by the movement of said star wheel, a .separator for removing. the lowest one of a row of caps, a gear wheel connected to said separator, a'ring provided with a rack engaging said gear wheel, .and connections .between said first-named gear wheel and said ring for o erating said r1ng, substantially asdescribes.

17. In a cap dropper, the combination of a supporting rod, a star wheel loosely mounted on -saidrod, a4 sleeve surrounding saidrod and havin a gear wheel on its lower end,.ad`ustab e connections between said sleeve an vsaid star wheel, said sleeve beingprovided with recesses in its periphery, a second sleeve surrounding said first- .named sleeve, land provided with a v gear wheel near its u per end, a pin having a sharpened end a a ted to project through said second-named s eeve into the recesses in said first-named sleeve, and a spring pressed plunger -for yieldingly holding said pin in engagement with said rstnamed sleeve,

'substantially as described.

Intestimony whereof, I ax my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ELMER M. COBB. 

